What We Believe

ABOUT GOD

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life. He was fully God and fully man. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead bodily after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He lives as our High Priest and Advocate. He will return personally again someday to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22, 23; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; I Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 7:25-27; Revelation 19:11-16

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives, as the Comforter, in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift(s) when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Corinthians. 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without error.

Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred from birth by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This condition separates people from God eternally and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1, 2; Romans 3:23; 5:12-20

ABOUT SALVATION

We believe that mankind is separated from God by sin. Christ’s sacrificial and substitutionary death on the cross satisfied God’s wrath against the sin of mankind. Only by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can anyone receive forgiveness and be saved from sin’s penalty. Salvation is God’s free gift of grace to us but we must accept it. Salvation is a process where we confess our sins, repent of our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, are buried with Christ in Baptism, and live a Christ-ruled life. We can never make up for our sin by self-effort, self-improvement or good works. Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. It is the grace and sustaining power of God that gives us this security.

John 3:16; 14:6; Romans 5:1, 8-9; 6:23; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

ABOUT BAPTISM

We believe Baptism by immersion to be essential to Salvation. Through Baptism we identify with Christ in the death, burial and resurrection and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Every New Testament conversion experience was immediately accompanied by Baptism and Christ's last instruction to his disciples was to "go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit".

Acts 2:38,41, 42; Romans 6:3-6; Acts 16:31-33; Galatians 3:27; Matthew 28:19;

ABOUT ETERNITY

We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved. People were created to exist forever in one of two conditions. The “unsaved” will exist eternally separated from God, experiencing conscious punishment in Hell. The “saved” will exist eternally with God in Heaven, enjoying everlasting blessedness. The Scriptures teach that Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; 5:28-29; 14:17; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15

ABOUT SATAN

We believe in the reality of the fallen angelic person of Satan. He leads other fallen angels in warfare against God and His people. Satan and all who are with him are doomed to a certain, everlasting judgment from God.

Genesis 3:22-24; Ezekiel 28:12-19; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11-12; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10